Storage racks

ABSTRACT

Pigeonhole-type storage racks, shelves, stands and the like constructed of a plurality of precast, molded or extruded duplicate members, preferably of concrete secured together by metal parts or members.

United States Patent Martin Feb. 22, 1972 [54] STORAGE RACKS 481,243 8/1892 Orr ..52/610 X 1 1,924,801 8/1933 Olmsted.. 52/236 [72] Inventor. Stuart A. Martin, Euclid, Ohio 2,699,128 H1955 Johnson .46/25 UX [73] Assignee: McNeil Corporation, Akron, Ohio 10,997 W 5/ Ratych ..52/79 221 Filed: Sept. 12, 1969 1 pp No: 857,440 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS 1,029,165 3/1953 France ..52/610 [52] US. Cl ..211/177, 52/79, 52/236, 1

52/610 Primary Examiner-Ramon S. Britts [51] Int. Cl. ..A47f 5/00 Attorney-Watts, Hoffmann, Fisher & l-leinke [58] FieldofSearch ..211/177, 10-11,

[57] ABSTRACT Pigeonhole-type storage racks, shelves, stands and the like constructed of a plurality of precast, molded or extruded [56] References Cited duplicate members, preferably of concrete secured together UNITED STATES PATENTS by metal Parts members- 2,160,773 5/1939 Wolfe ..52/587 6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures ell] PATENTEUFEB22 |972 SHEET 1 OF 3 INVENTOR. 574M127 A. MART/N BY 4%, W mm 7 M 4 ATTORNEYS.

STORAGERACKS TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to pigeonhole-type storage racks, shelves, stands and the like.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION This invention provides a pigeonhole-type storage rack, stand or the like constructed for the most part ofa plurality of precast, molded or extruded duplicate members, preferably made of concrete, and the majority of which have at least two parts orientated at right angles to each other, assembled and/or secured together by metal parts or members.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a storage area having pigeonhole racks embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged front elevational view of the near end of the right-hand rack shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing a different embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing another embodiment of the invention, and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing a further embodiment ofthe invention.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION From the foregoing description of the drawings it will be evident that the invention can be embodied in various constructions. The embodiments shown and described in detail herein are merely illustrative of the many possible embodiments and there is no intention to limit the invention to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

The storage area illustrated in FIG. 1 may be a warehouse or merely an area in a factory or the like. The area including the storage racks are. in the illustration, serviced by a so-called stacker crane. Alternatively the storage area and/or racks could be serviced manually or by other suitable power-actuated material handling apparatus, for example, so-called forklift trucks, preferably of the side-loading type.

The racks shown in FIG. I are designated R, R, R and R', are of the pigeonhole-type, and are arranged facing one another with service aisles between each two adjacent racks. The racks R and R" are duplicates of one another, as are the racks R and R. The racks R and R are similar to the racks R and R except that they are twice as wide as the racks R and R". As will hereinafter be more apparent, one or more racks of any size may be employed.

The stacker crane shown, designated generally by the reference character A, is of commercial construction, is of the floor supported, self-driven type guided in its travel along the racks and/or through the aisles between the racks by floor rails 14 and overhead rails 16 suspended from the building structure B. The crane A is adapted to be moved from one aisle to another or to a loading station by having its upper end moved into an overhead bridgelike crane carrier C, movable along an overhead runway W suspended from the building structure B at the near ends of the racks. The overhead carrier C includes mechanism for lifting the crane proper free of the floor F to permit movement thereof by the carrier along the near ends of the racks.

The crane A includes an Lshaped load carrier 18 vertically movable along the crane mast 20, which load is provided with a transversely movable load support 22 that can be extended into the pigeonholes or compartments of the racks to place loads therein or remove loads therefrom.

Material handling equipment of the type illustrated is commercially available and is shown in more detail in my copending application, Ser. No. 797,571, filed Feb. 7, 1969, entitled Material Handling Apparatus, now US. Pat. No. 3,583,583.

The rack R comprises a plurality of duplicate L-shaped members D stacked upon a base member E and upon each other to provide a storage rack comprising a plurality of pigeonholes or compartments each adapted to receive a pal- Ietized load. Each of the members D comprise two main sides or parts 24 and 26 of approximately equal thickness, arranged with respect to one another like the two sides of a right angle. With the members D in the positions illustrated, the vertical parts 24 form the vertical side walls of adjoining side-by-side pigeonholes and the horizontal parts 26 of the tops and bottoms of vertical arranged pigeonholes.

The top side of the vertical part 24 or the top edge of the horizontal part 26 immediately above the vertical part 24 of each of the members D is provided with a plurality of apertures for the reception of a plurality of headed and threaded fasteners 28 employed for securing elongated Z-shaped metal members 30 to the external corners of the members D. The upper flanges 32 of the members 30 project to the right, as viewed in the drawings, and overlie the upper corner edges of the members D and the lower flange 34 projects to the left and provides a ledge for supporting the free or right-hand end of the horizontal part 26 of the member immediately to the left of the member D to which a particular member 30 is attached.

The fasteners 28 are of the protruding-head type and the lower side of each of the vertical parts 24 of the members D are provided with suitable apertures adapted to receive the heads of the fasteners 28 to prevent movement of an upper member D relative to the member therebelow. In order to secure the free or right-hand edge of the horizontal parts 26 of the members D to the flanges 34 of the members 30, the underside of the part 26 adjacent to the free or right-hand side of each member is provided with suitable apertures for the reception of fasteners 38 similar to the fasteners 28 but without heads. The upper ends of the fasteners 38 of which there are at least two in each member D are embedded in the members D with their lower ends projecting downwardly from the underside of the horizontal parts 26 ofthe members and into or through suitable apertures in the horizontal flanges 34 of the members 30. Alternatively the fasteners 38 could be fixed to the upper sides of the flanges 34 of the members 30 and loosely project into the apertures in the members D. Since there are no members D to the left of the left-hand terminal vertical row of members D, filler strips 40, similar to the flanges 32 of the members 30, preferably are secured to the top left-hand sides of these members D rather than the Z- shaped members. The members 40 may be secured to the lefthand vertical row of members D by fasteners 28 in a manner similar to that in which the flanges 32 of the members 30 are secured to the other members D.

The lower row of members D are assembled on a floor or base member E, preferably with filler strips 40 secured to the upper side thereof in a manner similar to that in which the tiller strips 40 are secured to the left-hand terminal members D. The upper sides of the horizontal parts 26 of the members D and the floor or base strip E are provided with load-supporting ledges or ribs 44, adapted to support loads stored in the pigeonholes of which they are a part, extending above the floor of the respective pigeonholes a distance sufficient to allow the insertion and retraction of lifting devices, such as, load lifting and supporting tines carried by the load carrier 18 and projectable into the various pigeonholes,

Since there are no members D to the right of the right-hand terminal vertical row of pigeonholes, the free or right-hand ends of the horizontal parts 26 of the right-hand terminal vertical row of members D can be supported on brackets 48 secured at proper intervals to vertical structure members, such as I-beam 50 adjacent the right-hand end of the rack. The right-hand ends of the horizontal parts 26 of the vertical terminal right-hand row of members D are secured to the brackets 48 by fasteners 38 similar to the manner in which corresponding ends of the other members D are secured to the Z-shaped brackets 30.

Assuming that the Z-shaped members 30 and the strips 40 are connected, as shown prior to assembly of the members D, into a rack, the rack can be built or assembled by beginning at the lower right-hand corner, as viewed in FIG. 2, and placing the members D in position in an obvious manner. The members D can be stacked upon the base member and upon one another by use of the stacker crane shown, if desired. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a member D to be positioned can be placed upon the transversely movable load support 22 of the vertically movable load carriage 18 at a loading station and moved by the crane to its position in the rack. Alternatively, the members D can be stacked in any suitable manner, for example, by hand or by use ofa forklift truck of the character previously mentioned.

It it is desired to fixedly secure the adjacent members D together, bolts could be employed to fixedly connect the free or right-hand ends of the horizontal parts 26 of the members D to the flanges 34 of the members 30 of the adjoining members D.

The members D and E, as shown, are made of precast concrete. However. they may be made of any suitable material other than concrete, for example, fibreglas, plastic, etc., and formed in any desired manner as by casting, extruding, molding, etc. When made of concrete they are preferably reinforced by having steel mesh or rods embedded in the concrete. The rack may be built to any desired height, etc., and may be readily disassembled and moved to another location, if desired, and when made of precast concrete is fireproof.

The rack R is a duplicate of the rack R, previously described, with the exception of the fact that the members thereof which correspond to the members D of the rack R are twice as long as the members D.

The rack 2R shown in FIG. 3, is constructed of members 2D stacked upon a floor or base members 2E comparable to the members D and E of the rack R, but of different construction. Like the members D of the rack R, the members 2D of the rack 2R are precast L-shaped members having two main parts or sides 60, 62 at right angles to one another. The principal difference between the two racks is the fact that in the rack shown in FIG. 3, the members which provide the ledge or support for the free or right-hand end of the horizontal part 62 of the members 2D are angle irons or brackets 64 cast into the upper end of the vertical part 60 of the members 2D and the further fact that the undersides of the vertical parts 60 of the members are provided with downwardly extending V-shaped tongues or ridges 66 which engage in V-shaped grooves 68 formed along the right-hand edges of the top sides of the horizontal parts 62 of the members directly opposite the vertical parts 60 thereof. The supports 64 for the right-hand ends of the parts 62 of the members D are preferably single members extending the length of the respective members D. It is to be understood, however, that they may be of any desired length and one or more may be employed.

In the rack shown in FIG. 3, the free right-hand ends of the horizontal part 62 of the members 2D are bolted to the bracket 64 by bolts 70 extending through suitable apertures in the vertical part 62 of the members 2D and the horizontal parts of the brackets 64. Since there are no brackets 64 to support the free right-hand ends of the horizontal parts 62 of the members 2D in the right-hand vertical terminal row of members. these parts are supported on brackets 72 connected to vertical members 74 similar to the brackets 48 and the vertical members 50 employed to support the right-hand ends of the horizontal parts 26 of the right-hand terminal vertical row of members D ofthe rack R, shown in FIG. 2.

In the rack shown in FIG. 3, the upper surface or floor or base members 2E is smooth except for the provision of spaced V-shaped grooves 76 of the reception of the downwardly projecting tongues or ridges 66 of the vertical parts 60 of the members 2D in the lower horizontal row of members. The members 2D are provided with integrally formed raised ridges 78 similar to the ridges 44 of the rack shown in FIG. 2 for the reception of loads. In the lower horizontal row of pigeonholes,

in this instance, the loads are supported on short sections of I- beams 80 bolted or otherwise fixedly secured to the top surface of the floor base members 2E in each of the lower horizontal rows of pigeonholes. Alternatively, ridges similar to the ridges 44 of the base member E could be employed in place of the I-beams 80.

The rack 2R shown in FIG. 3 is constructed in a manner generally similar to the rack R, previously described, the principal difference being that with the rack shown in FIG. 3, it is necessary to install the bolts 70 upon the placing of each member 2D in position in the rack.

The rack 3R, shown in FIG. 4, is similar to the rack 2R, shown in FIG. 3, and the duplicate parts are designated by the same reference characters with a prime mark affixed thereto. The members 3D are similar to the members 2D of the rack 2R except for the fact that the interlocking tongues and grooves 66 and 68, in the lower sides of the vertical parts 84 and the top sides of the horizontal parts 86 of the members 2D, are omitted in the members 3D and replaced by angle members 88, similar to the angle members 64', cast into the lower ends of the vertical portions 84 of the members 3D and projecting outwardly from the lower edge thereof towards the left, as viewed in FIG. 4, that is, in a direction opposite to that in which the horizontal part 86 projects. Each of the members is preferably a single angle iron extending the length of the member 3D, but it is to be understood that they may be of any desired length and number, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. The right-hand ends of the horizontal parts 86 of the members 3D are secured to the vertical parts 84 of the two adjoining members 3D immediately to the left thereof by fasteners, in the embodiment shown, bolts 90 similar to the bolts 70 employed in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, but slightly longer. The bolts 90 extend through aligned holes in the member 64 and 88 and the right-hand ends of the horizontal parts 86 of the members 3D.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the I-beams 80, which form the load supports in the lower row of pigeonholes, in FIG. 3, are replaced by channel members 92 on the base member 3E and which serve the same purpose in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 as the I-beams 80 do in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. Aside from the aforesaid differences the rack R3, shown in FIG. 4, is similar to the rack R2, shown in FIG. 3, and is erected, etc., in a similar manner. In all of the racks heretofore described it is to be understood that the vertical members 50, 74 and 74', the I-beams 80 and the channel members 92 may be secured to the floor or base member as the case may be in any suitable manner. For ascetic or other reasons the projecting flanges of the angle members extending from the left-hand side of the racks R2 and R3 may be removed, if desired.

The rack 4R, shown in FIG. 5, is generally similar to the rack shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, and is erected in a similar manner. The rack 4R, however, is formed of a plurality of four differently constructed members 4D, 4D, 4E and H, The members 4E and the lower horizontal row of members H form the base part of the rack 4R. The members 4E are channel shaped in cross section and include left and right hand sides 100, 102 projecting downwardly from a horizontal part 104. The downwardly projecting sides are preferably merely long enough to raise the horizontal part 104 a distance above the floor of the building or area upon which the rack is located sufficient to permit the manipulation of the lift-supporting tines of a load-handling apparatus, such as has been heretofore referred to.

The members H are platelike members having raised portions 106, 108, at opposite longitudinal sides of the horizontal portion 110, provided with longitudinal grooves 112, 114, in their upper surface, respectively. The members 4E are positioned on the supporting floor parallel to one another and spaced a distance such that the downwardly projecting flanges align vertically with the grooves 112, 114 in the upper side of the member H when the members H are positioned on the members 4E.

The members 4D are inverted channel-shaped members. The height of the downwardly extending sides 120, 122, is approximately the same as the width of the top horizontal sides 124. In assembling the rack 4R, the lower ends of the downwardly extending sides 120, 122 of the members 4D are positioned in the upwardly facing grooves in the adjoining sides of adjacent members H, that is, the, downwardly lefthand sides 120 are positioned in the right-hand grooves 114 of the member H forming a part of the pigeonhole immediately to the left of the pigeonhole formed by the member 4D and the right-hand sides 122 are positioned in the groove 112 of the member H forming the pigeonhole immediately to the right of the pigeonhole formed by the member 4D. The sides of the raised portions 106, 108 of the member H at opposite sides of the vertical parts 120, 122, positioned thereon form supporting ledges for loads in a manner similar to the ledges 44, etc., of the previously described embodiments. The height of the ridges 106, 108 above the top sides of the horizontal part 110 of the members H is sufficient to permit manipulation of load-handling devices beneath a load thereon. Successive rows of the members H and 4D are positioned upon adjoining members in the row therebelow until a rack of the desired height is constructed.

The members 4D, which form the left-hand vertical row of pigeonholes are similar to the members 4D, with the exception of the fact that the lower end of the left-hand vertical parts thereof are extended a distance equal to that between the bottom of the grooves 112, 114 in the members H and the undersides of said members, and are further provided with an inwardly projecting portion 130 forming a ledge opposite to the ledge formed by the near raised portion of the member H immediately to the right thereof for the reception ofa load.

The rack is terminated on the right by supporting the righthand ends of members H, upon the left-hand end of which the right-hand sides 122 of the members 4D of the vertical row of pigeonholes immediately to the left thereof rest, upon brackets 132 similar to the brackets 48 previously referred to connected to vertical l-beams 134 similar to the I-beams 50, previously referred to.

In the present instance the members of the rack are fixedly secured together by embedding metal members at appropriate places and welding the adjoining members together. For this purpose the members 4D and 4D have angle members 140, 142, 144 and 146 located in and forming the external corners of the members, the members 4E, angle members 150 and 152 embedded in and forming the upper corners of the member, and the members H, angle members 154 and 156 embedded in and forming the lower near corners of the grooves 112, 114 and platelike members 160, 162 embedded in their bottom sides opposite the angle members 154, 156. As previously mentioned, all of the adjoining members are welded to one another thus making an integral construction. While the members other than the members 160, 162 embedded into the members 4D, 4D, 4E and H are angular in shape, it will be obvious that they could be merely platelike members. If desired, the vertical portions of the members could be omitted. The angular construction is employed because it is believed that they provide a more secure or permanent connection with the main portions of the respective members in which they are embedded.

Like the corresponding members of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the members 4D, 4D, 4E and H of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, are preferably made of precast concrete, but may be made of any suitable material other than concrete, for example, fibreglas, plastics, etc., and may be formed in any desired manner other than casting, for example, by extrusion, molding, etc.

From the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention shown, it will be apparent that new and improved pigeonhole-type storage racks have been provided which are made up for the most part from a plurality of duplicate members which can be conveniently constructed at minimum expense and assembled together to form racks of desired sizes. While a number of preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, the invention is not limited to the constructions shown, and it is the intention to cover all adaptations, modifications and uses of the invention coming within the practice ofthose skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A structural unit for assembly with other structural units to form a pigeonhole rack, said unit comprising a first nonmetallic rectangular platelike part, a second nonmetallic rectangular platelike part at one side of and formed integral with said first part adjacent to one longitudinal edge thereof and extending at right angles to said first part, the connection between said first and second parts forming a right-angle corner with an outwardly projecting apex, and an elongated metal member at the exterior of and fixed to one of said parts adjacent to the connection of said parts with one another and extending substantially the length of said longitudinal edge for connecting said unit with a second unit assembled therewith at a vertical side thereof. 7

2. A structural unit for assembly with other structural units to form a pigeonhole rack, said unit comprising a first nonmetallic rectangular platelike part, a second nonmetallic rectangular platelike part at one side of and formed integral with said first part adjacent to one longitudinal edge thereof and extending at right angles to said first part, the connection between said first and second parts forming a right-angle corner with an outwardly projecting apex, and an elongated metal member at the exterior of and fixed to one of said parts adjacent to the connection of said parts with one another and extending substantially the length of said longitudinal edge providing an abutment for connecting said unit with a second unit assembled therewith at a vertical side thereof.

3. A structural unit for assembly with other structural units to form a pigeonhole rack, said unit comprising a first nonmetallic rectangular platelike part, a second nonmetallic rectangular platelike part at one side of and formed integral with said first part adjacent to one longitudinal edge thereof and extendingat right angles to said first part, the connection between said first and second parts forming a right-angle corner with an outwardly projecting apex, and an elongated metal member at the exterior of and fixed to one of said parts adjacent to the connection of said parts with one another, extending substantially the length of said longitudinal edge and projecting from said one part, providing a cantilevered ledge for supporting a part ofa second unit assembled therewith at a vertical side thereof.

4. A storage rack comprising structural units assembled vertically and horizontally in side-by-side parallel relation to one another, each ofa plurality of said units comprising a first nonmetallic rectangular platelike part, a second nonmetallic rectangular platelike part at one side of and formed integral with said first part adjacent to one longitudinal edge thereof and extending at right angles to said first part, the connection between said first and second parts forming a right-angle corner with an outwardly projecting apex, and an elongated metal member at the exterior of and fixed to one of said parts adjacent to the connection of said parts with one another and extending substantially the length of said longitudinal edge connecting the respective units with a second unit adjacent thereto at a vertical side thereof.

5. A storage rack comprising structural units assembled vertically and horizontally in side-by-side parallel relation to one another, each of a plurality of said units comprising a first nonmetallic rectangular platelike part, a second nonmetallic rectangular platelike part at one side of and formed integral with said first part adjacent to one longitudinal edge thereof and extending at right angles to said first part, the connection between said first and second parts forming a right-angle corner with an outwardly projecting apex, and an elongated metal member at the exterior of and fixed to one of said parts adjacent to the connection of said parts with one another and extending substantially the length of said longitudinal edge between said first and second parts forming a right-angle corner with an outwardly projecting apex, and an elongated metal member at the exterior of and fixed to one of said parts adjacent to the connection of said parts with one another and extending substantially the length of said longitudinal edge providing a cantilevered ledge supporting a part of a second unit adjacent thereto at a vertical side thereof. 

1. A structural unit for assembly with other structural units to form a pigeonhole rack, said unit comprising a first nonmetallic rectangular platelike part, a second nonmetallic rectangular platelike part at one side of and formed integral with said first part adjacent to one longitudinal edge thereof and extending at right angles to said first part, the connection between said first and second parts forming a right-angle corner with an outwardly projecting apex, and an elongated metal member at the exterior of and fixed to one of said parts adjacent to the connection of said parts with one another and extending substantially the length of said longitudinal edge for connecting said unit with a second unit assembled therewith at a vertical side thereof.
 2. A structural unit for assembly with other structural units to form a pigeonhole rack, said unit comprising a first nonmetallic rectangular platelike part, a second nonmetallic rectangular platelike part at one side of and formed integral with said first part adjacent to one longitudinal edge thereof and extending at right angles to said first part, the connection between said first and second parts forming a right-angle corner with an outwardly projecting apex, and an elongated metal member at the exterior of and fixed to one of said parts adjacent to the connection of said parts with one another and extending substantially the length of said longitudinal edge providing an abutment for connecting said unit with a second unit assembled therewith at a vertical side thereof.
 3. A structural unit for assembly with other structural units to form a pigeonhole rack, said unit comprising a first nonmetallic rectangular platelike part, a second nonmetallic rectangular platelike part at one side of and formed integral with said first part adjacent to one longitudinal edge thereof and extending at right angles to said first part, the connection between said first and second parts forming a right-Angle corner with an outwardly projecting apex, and an elongated metal member at the exterior of and fixed to one of said parts adjacent to the connection of said parts with one another, extending substantially the length of said longitudinal edge and projecting from said one part, providing a cantilevered ledge for supporting a part of a second unit assembled therewith at a vertical side thereof.
 4. A storage rack comprising structural units assembled vertically and horizontally in side-by-side parallel relation to one another, each of a plurality of said units comprising a first nonmetallic rectangular platelike part, a second nonmetallic rectangular platelike part at one side of and formed integral with said first part adjacent to one longitudinal edge thereof and extending at right angles to said first part, the connection between said first and second parts forming a right-angle corner with an outwardly projecting apex, and an elongated metal member at the exterior of and fixed to one of said parts adjacent to the connection of said parts with one another and extending substantially the length of said longitudinal edge connecting the respective units with a second unit adjacent thereto at a vertical side thereof.
 5. A storage rack comprising structural units assembled vertically and horizontally in side-by-side parallel relation to one another, each of a plurality of said units comprising a first nonmetallic rectangular platelike part, a second nonmetallic rectangular platelike part at one side of and formed integral with said first part adjacent to one longitudinal edge thereof and extending at right angles to said first part, the connection between said first and second parts forming a right-angle corner with an outwardly projecting apex, and an elongated metal member at the exterior of and fixed to one of said parts adjacent to the connection of said parts with one another and extending substantially the length of said longitudinal edge providing an abutment engaged by a second unit adjacent thereto at a vertical side thereof.
 6. A storage rack comprising structural units assembled vertically and horizontally in side-by-side parallel relation to one another, each of a plurality of said units comprising a first nonmetallic rectangular platelike part, a second nonmetallic rectangular platelike part at one side of and formed integral with said first part adjacent to one longitudinal edge thereof and extending at right angles to said first part, the connection between said first and second parts forming a right-angle corner with an outwardly projecting apex, and an elongated metal member at the exterior of and fixed to one of said parts adjacent to the connection of said parts with one another and extending substantially the length of said longitudinal edge providing a cantilevered ledge supporting a part of a second unit adjacent thereto at a vertical side thereof. 